EPEVER ViewStar AU Series Solar Charge Controller
Thank you for selecting the ViewStar AU series solar charge controller. Please read this manual carefully before using the product.
1. Overview
The VS-AU controller is a PWM charge controller with a built-in LCD display that adopts the most advanced digital technique. The multiple load control modes enable it to be widely used in solar home systems, traffic signals, solar street lights, solar garden lamps, etc. The features are listed below:
- Adopt high-quality components of ST, IR, and Infineon, ensuring product using lifespan.
- Terminals have UL and VDE certification, making the product safer and more reliable.
- Controller can work continuously at full load within the environment temperature range from -25 to 55 °C.
- 3-Stage intelligent PWM charging: Bulk, Boost/Equalize, Float.
- Support 3 charging options: Sealed, Gel, and Flooded.
- LCD display design, dynamically displaying device's operating data and working condition.
- Double USB design, providing power supply for electronic equipment.
- With humanized button settings, operation is more comfortable and convenient.
- Multiple load control modes.
- Energy statistics function.
- Battery temperature compensation function.
- Extensive Electronic protection.
Note: Please connect the inverter or other load that has a large starting current to the battery rather than to the controller, if the inverter or other load is necessary.
Note: The battery fuse should be installed as close to the battery as possible. The suggested distance is within 150mm.
The VS AU series is a positive ground controller. Any positive connection of solar, load, or battery can be earth grounded as required.
2. Product Features
Figure 1 Characteristic shows the front panel of the charge controller with the following labeled components:
- 1. PV Terminals (+)
- 2. PV Terminals (-)
- 3. RTS Port (Remote Temperature Sensor)
- 4. Battery Terminals (+)
- 5. Battery Terminals (-)
- 6. Load Terminals (+)
- 7. Load Terminals (-)
- 8. SET Button
- 9. MENU Button
- 10. USB Output Ports
※ USB output ports provide a power supply of 5VDC/2.4A and have short-circuit protection.
Optional Accessory: Remote Temperature Sensor
Name: Remote Temperature Sensor
Model: RTS300R47K3.81A
Acquisition of battery temperature for undertaking temperature compensation of control parameters. The standard length of the cable is 3m (length can be customized). The RTS300R47K3.81A connects to port ③ on the controller.
Note: Unplug the RTS; the temperature of the battery will be set to a fixed value of 25°C.
3. Wiring
Figure 2 Connection diagram illustrates the wiring process. Ensure components are connected to the charge controller in the sequence shown, paying close attention to the '+' and '-' terminals. Do not insert the fuse or turn on the breaker during installation. When disconnecting the system, reverse the order.
Wiring Diagram Description:
- PV Array (+) connected to PV Terminal (+).
- PV Array (-) connected to PV Terminal (-).
- Battery (+) connected to Battery Terminal (+).
- Battery (-) connected to Battery Terminal (-).
- Load (+) connected to Load Terminal (+).
- Load (-) connected to Load Terminal (-).
- A breaker is shown between the battery and the controller.
- A fuse is shown between the controller and the load.
- A fuse is shown between the PV array and the controller.
Always connect the battery first to allow the controller to recognize the system voltage. After powering on the controller, check if the LCD is on. Otherwise, refer to chapter 6. Troubleshooting.
4. Operation
4.1 Button Function
| Button | Function |
|---|---|
| MENU button | Browse interface Setting parameter Load ON/OFF |
| SET button | Clear error Enter into Set Mode Save data |
4.2 LCD Display
The LCD dynamically displays device operating data and working conditions. Key status indicators include:
- PV array: Displays PV voltage, current, and power.
- Battery: Displays battery voltage, current, and temperature. Also shows battery capacity and charging status.
- Battery Type: Indicates the selected battery type (Sealed, Gel, Flooded).
- Load: Shows load status (ON/OFF) and load voltage, current, and mode.
Status Description:
| Item | Icon | Status | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| PV array | PV | Day / Night | Indicates day or night conditions relevant to PV charging. |
| PV array | PV | No charging / Charging | Indicates whether the PV array is currently charging the battery. |
| PV array | PV | PV Voltage, Current, Power | Real-time data from the PV array. |
| Battery | BATT | Battery capacity, In Charging | Displays battery charge level and charging status. |
| Battery | BATT | Battery voltage, current, temperature | Real-time battery parameters. |
| Battery | BATT | Battery type | Shows the selected battery type. |
| Load | LOAD | Load ON / Load OFF | Indicates the current state of the load output. |
| Load | LOAD | Load Voltage, Current, Load mode | Real-time load parameters and operating mode. |
Browse interface: The interface cycles automatically when no operation is performed. The following two interfaces are not displayed.
Note:
- When no operation, the interface will automatically cycle, but the follow two interfaces are not displayed.
- Accumulative power zero clearing: Under PV power interface, press and hold the SET button for 5s until the value blinks, then press the SET button again to clear the value.
- Setting temperature unit: Under battery temperature interface, press and hold the SET button for 5s to switch.
4.3 Load mode setting
Operating Steps: Under the load mode setting interface, press and hold the SET button for 5s until the number begins flashing. Then press the MENU button to set the parameter, and press the SET button to confirm.
| Timer 1 | Timer 2 | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Disabled | Disabled | Manual mode (Default load ON) |
| 1h | 1h | Load will be on for 1 hour since sunset / Load will be on for 1 hour before sunrise. |
| 2h | 2h | Load will be on for 2 hours since sunset / Load will be on for 2 hours before sunrise. |
| 3~13h | 3~13h | Load will be on for 3~13 hours since sunset / Load will be on for 3~13 hours before sunrise. |
| 14h | 14h | Load will be on for 14 hours since sunset / Load will be on for 14 hours before sunrise. |
| 15h | 15h | Load will be on for 15 hours since sunset / Load will be on for 15 hours before sunrise. |
| Test mode | Disabled | Test mode |
Note: Please set Light ON/OFF, Test mode, and Manual mode via Timer 1. Timer 2 will be disabled and display "2 n".
4.4 Battery Type
Operating Steps: Under the Battery Voltage interface, press and hold the SET button for 5s to enter the Battery type setting interface. After choosing the battery type by pressing the MENU button, wait for 5s or press the SET button again to modify successfully.
Battery Type Selection:
- ① Sealed (Default)
- ② Gel
- ③ Flooded
Note: Please refer to the battery voltage parameters table for the different battery types.
5. Protections
| Protection | Conditions | Status |
|---|---|---|
| PV Reverse Polarity | The controller is not connecting, the battery can be reversed. When the battery is correct connecting, the PV can be reversed. | Damage |
| Battery Reverse Polarity | When the PV is not connecting, the battery can be reversed. | Damage |
| Battery Over Voltage | The battery voltage reaches to the OVD. | Stop charging |
| Battery Over Discharge | The battery voltage reaches to the LVD. | Stop discharging |
| Battery Overheating | Temperature sensor is higher than 65°C / Temperature sensor is less than 55°C | Output is OFF / Output is ON |
| Load failure | Load overload, Load short circuit | Output is OFF |
| Controller Overheating | Temperature sensor is higher than 85°C / Temperature sensor is less than 75°C | Output is OFF / Output is ON |
| Load Short Circuit | Load current ≥2.5 times rated current. One short circuit, the output is OFF 5s; Two short circuit, the output is OFF 10s; Three short circuit, the output is OFF 15s; Four short circuit, the output is OFF 20s; Five short circuit, the output is OFF 25s; Six short circuit, the output is OFF. | Output is OFF |
| Load Overload | Load current ≥2.5 times rated current. 1.02-1.05 times, 50s; 1.05-1.25 times, 30s; 1.25-1.35 times, 10s; 1.35-1.5 times, 2s. | Output is OFF |
| Damaged RTS | The RTS is short-circuited or damaged. | Charging or discharging at 25°C. |
6. Troubleshooting
| Faults | Possible reasons | Troubleshooting |
|---|---|---|
| The LCD is off during daytime when sunshine falls on PV modules properly | PV array disconnection 1) Battery voltage is lower than 9V 2) PV voltage is less than battery voltage |
Confirm that PV wire connections are correct and tight. 1) Please check the voltage of battery. At least 9V voltage to activate the controller. 2) Check the PV input voltage which should be higher than battery's. |
| Wire connection is correct, LCD not display | Interface blink | Check if the battery voltage is higher than OVD point (over voltage disconnect voltage), and disconnect the PV. |
| Interface blink | Battery over voltage | When the battery voltage is restored to or above LVR point (low voltage reconnect voltage), the load will recover. |
| Interface blink | Battery over discharged | The controller will automatically turn the system off. But while the temperature decline to be below 50 °C, the controller will resume. |
| Interface blink | Battery Overheating | Please reduce the number of electric equipments or check carefully loads connection. |
| Interface blink | Over load or Short circuit | Clear the fault: Restart the controller or wait for one night-day cycle (night time > 3 hours). |
| Output is OFF | Controller Overheating | Clear the fault: Restart the controller or wait for one night-day cycle (night time > 3 hours). |
| Output is ON | Load Short Circuit | Clear the fault: Restart the controller or wait for one night-day cycle (night time > 3 hours). |
| Output is OFF | Load Overload | Clear the fault: Restart the controller or wait for one night-day cycle (night time > 3 hours). |
7. Technical Specifications
| Item | VS1024AU | VS2024AU | VS3024AU | VS3048AU | VS4524AU | VS4548AU | VS6024AU | VS6048AU | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nominal system voltage | 12/24VDC Auto | 12/24/36/48VDC Auto | 12/24VDC Auto | 12/24/36/48VDC Auto | |||||
| Battery input voltage range | 9V~32V | 9V~32V | 9V~64V | 9V~64V | 9V~32V | 9V~64V | 9V~32V | 9V~64V | |
| Rated charge/discharge current | 10A@55°C | 20A@55°C | 30A@55°C | 30A@55°C | 45A@55°C | 45A@55°C | 60A@55°C | 60A@55°C | |
| Max. PV open circuit voltage | 50V | 50V | 96V | 96V | 50V | 96V | 50V | 96V | |
| Battery type | Sealed (Default) / Gel / Flooded | ||||||||
| Equalize Charging Voltage | Sealed:14.6V / Gel: No / Flooded:14.8V | ||||||||
| Boost Charging Voltage | Sealed:14.4V / Gel:14.2V / Flooded:14.6V | ||||||||
| Float Charging Voltage | Sealed/Gel/Flooded:13.8V | ||||||||
| Low Voltage Reconnect Voltage | Sealed/Gel/Flooded:12.6V | ||||||||
| Low Voltage Disconnect Voltage | Sealed/Gel/Flooded:11.1V | ||||||||
| Self-consumption | ≤9.2mA/12V; ≤11.7mA/24V; ≤14.5mA/36V; ≤17mA/48V | ||||||||
| Temperature compensation coefficient | -3mV/°C/2V (25℃) | ||||||||
| Charge circuit voltage drop | ≤0.29V | ||||||||
| Discharge circuit voltage drop | ≤0.16V | ||||||||
| LCD temperature range | -20℃~+70°C | ||||||||
| Working environment temperature | -25℃~+55℃ (Product can work continuously at full load) | ||||||||
| Relative humidity | ≤95%, N.C. | ||||||||
| Enclosure | IP30 | ||||||||
| Grounding | Common Positive | ||||||||
| USB output | 5VDC/2.4A (Total) | ||||||||
| Overall dimension | 142x85x41.5mm | 160x94.9x49.3mm | 181x100.9x59.8mm | 172x80mm | 194x118.4x63.8mm | 185x90mm | 214x128.7x72.2mm | 205x100mm | |
| Mounting dimension | 130x60mm | 148x70mm | 181x100.9mm | 172x80mm | 194x118.4mm | 185x90mm | 214x128.7mm | 205x100mm | |
| Mounting hole size | Φ4.5mm | ||||||||
| Terminals | 4mm²/12AWG | 10mm²/8AWG | 16mm²/6AWG | 25mm²/4AWG | |||||
| Net weight | 0.22kg | 0.35kg | 0.55kg | 0.58kg | 0.76kg | 0.88kg | 1.02kg | 1.04kg | |
※ Above parameters are in 12V system at 25°C, twice in 24V system, triple in 36V system and quadruple in 48V system.
Any changes without prior notice! Version number: V1.2
8. Disclaimer
This warranty does not apply under the following conditions:
- Damage from improper use or use in an unsuitable environment.
- PV or load current, voltage, or power exceeding the rated value of the controller.
- The controller's working temperature exceeds the limit working environment temperature.
- User disassembly or attempted repair of the controller without permission.
- The controller is damaged due to natural elements such as lightning.
- The controller is damaged during transportation and shipment.
